Sheet tearing machine



Sept. 16, 1947. E. H SWAIN SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed May 15. 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR s, E N R o w. A

Sept. 16;, 1947. E. H.'$WAIN SHEET TEARII IG MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16. 1944 INVENTOE TTORNEY Sept 16, 1947. E. H. SWAIN SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed May 16. 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 5. M m .r n A Se als, 1947. E, HfswAm 2,427,515

- I SHEET TEARINGMACHINE Filed May 16, 1944 l4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR chi/ M Sept; 16, 1947.

s. H. SWAIN SHEET TEARING MACHINE 14 SheetS -Sheet 5 Filed May 15, 1944 I 1- W A? :ORNEYS Sept 16 1947. v H, sw i Y I 2,427,515

SHEET TEARING MCI-IINE Filed M 16, 1944 14 snets-sheei' s lNVENTOR I M AO Sept. 16, 1947. E. H. SWAIN 2,427,515

SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed ma 16, 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 E. H. SWAIN SHEET TEARING MACHINE f Sept. 16, 1947. 2,427,515

Filed May 16. 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEYS Sept; 16, 1947. E. H. SWAIN I SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1944 '14 Sheets-Sheet 9 ATTORNEYS Sept. 16, 1947. E. H. swAl N I I SHEET TEARING MACHINE 14 shets-sheet 1o Sept. 16, 1947. E; H. S WAlN SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1944 14 Sheets-Sheet l1 TTO INVENTOR BY z RNEYS Sept. 16, 1947. E. H. SWAIN SHEET TEARING MACHINE Filed May 16,

1944 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 E. H. swAm SHEET TEARING MACHINE Sept. '16, 1947.

Filed May 16, 1944 '14 Sheets-Sheet 13 mwm V? vE N TTO Sept. 16, 1947.

E. H. SWAIN SHEET TEARING, MACHINE Filed May 16, "1944 14 Sheets-Sheet l4 I 4/ 4/3 I E:-

- x I INVENT R g n 1 C141 r 7- r U ETTOIINEYS Patented Sept. 16, 1947 iiNi'iEh S'iA'iES PATENT OFFiC-E SHEET TEARING-MACHINE Earl H. Swain, New Hartford, N, Y., assignor to Utioa Willowvale Bleaching Company, 'Utica,

N. Y., a corporation of New'York Application May It, 1944, Serial No. 535,795

(Cl. ltd- 845) 25 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for tearing sheetings or the like into desired lengths.

A customary procedure heretofore has been to tear manually lengths of sheeting from a longitudinally folded web after measuring off the desired length by the operator. This operation has required a person to walk forward and back alongside a table the length of a sheet for each sheet measured, torn and folded and with each tearing operation, the operator had to grip the web with both hands and nick same with knife and then tear same transversely by moving hands apart away from each other and on wider fabrics, the operator had to again grip the fabric further along the tearing line and again move pervisor of such a machine can replace the numerous hand tearers heretofore required.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the required character in which simple adjustment may be readily made for tearing sheetings of difierent desired lengths.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the required character, that may be simply and conveniently operated.

The machine is designed to measure the desired length of sheet from the sheeting fed thereto, and to nick the center longitudinal fold before tearing to start the tearing point, to tear the sheet from the sheeting, to move the-torn off sheets along, to fold them each twice transversely with the same folds now effected by hand operation, and to collect the folded sheets in folded piles over cross bars of a doffer mechanism at the outlet'end of the machine. Provision is made in the machine so that adjustments can'be made for different lengthsand Widths of sheets to be handled and for detection of short lengths of sheeting and seams and defects in the sheeting fed to the machine.

Still another object of the machine is to provide novel electrical circuit controls for operation 'of various parts of the machine.

Other objects are to provide means *in the machine for feeding definite lengths ofsheets betweeneachstarting and stopping of the sheeting conveyon-to provide means for braking the sheeting feed-mechanism while thelatter is stopped, to provide-novel clamping means in conjunction With the sheet tearing means, to provide means to actuate the clamping means before the tearing means is "actuated, to provide novel means for transversely folding different lengths of sheeting with thesame folding means and with the same-folds now-app1ied --by hand thereto, to eifect automatic straightening outof the leading and trailing edges of tornoif sheets after they leave the tearingmeansand before folding said sheets transversely, iscompleted, etc., to provide novel doiTer mechanism for removing thesheets from the machine, and to provide controls actuated by the folded sheets for operating the doiier mechanism.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in theappended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof which show, merely for the purposes of illustrm tivedisclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that changes may bemade in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from the inventive idea.

In the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts and i. which section views are viewed in the directions of the respective arrows:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of the machine including the feed-in mechanism and the tearing mechanism;

Fig. 2is-a top plan view of-the portion of the machine shownin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the machine viewed from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation'of the portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the sheet folding and sheet take-off mechanisms provided as a continuation of the right-hand portion of the machine shown inFigre;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the mechanisms shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the sheet tearing arms;

Fig. 8is an enlarged elevational view partially in section .of the arm of Fig. 7;

Fig, 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig. 7, and illustrating the sheet gripping mechanism of one of the tearing arms;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of feed and brake arrangement associated with the drive of the sheet take-off or doffer mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional detail taken along line |2-|2 of Fig. 2, illustrating details of the clutch and brake mechanism for coupling the machine to the main drive motor, and for braking it for quick stops;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic illustration of the sequences of operations effected in the machine;

Fig. 14 is an end view of the web of sheeting fed to the machine;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of sheeting after being torn to a prescribed length in said machine;

Fig. 16 is an end view of the sheeting of Fig. 15 after it has been given its first fold;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the sheeting of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an end view of the sheeting of Fig. 17 after it has been given its second fold;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the sheeting of Fig. 18 as it appears when it is removed from the dofier mechanism;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the folder arms;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged end view of the web feeding mechanism for feeding predetermined lengths of sheeting to the tearing mechanism;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged front elevation illustrating somewhat diagrammatically the details of the web feeding mechanism of Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical and pneumatic control circuits of the machine;

Figs. 24 and 25 are respectively diagrammatic plan and front elevations of a modified form of tearing mechanism; and

Figs. 26 and 27 are respectively front and plan elevations of a further modification of tearing mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the machine embodies a web feeding and measuring section A which includes a guide frame wherein the web is received in longitudinally double, double folded condition from rolls or folded goods on platforms (not shown) and passed around appropriate measuring devices to measure off predetermined lengths, a sheet tearing section B to which the appropriately admeasured lengths of sheetings are fed and which includes a tearing table and wherein these measured lengths are torn from the sheeting successively, a sheet folding or doubling section C whereto the torn lengths of sheeting are delivered from the section B and doubled or folded transversely, and a doffer mechanism D with which the folded sheets are delivered from section C for removal from the machine.

The various sections A to D inclusive of the machine are all carried or positioned with respect to a common frame work or base l0 so that delivery of sheeting, detection of defects or seam admeasurement to desired length, tearing of admeasured lengths, folding and doffing may be carried on as a continuous operation.

The web feeding and measuring section A In this section A, the frame |0 carries suitably a pair of oppositely located upright brackets or guide frame parts each shaped to provide an upward angularly'extending portion l2 and horizontal top portions l3. A cover or guide plate l4 overlies the top portions l3 and is suitably supported thereby. The cross bar I5 extends between the portions I3 and depends therefrom. This cross bar supports a suitable bracket |6 that carries a tension bar H for a purpose to be presently described.

Additional spaced apart guide bars I8 and i9 are suitably supported on axes 2|! and 2| extending in suitable brackets between the frame portions l2, for a purpose to be presently described. A pair of pivoted brackets 22 one carried by each of the frame portions l2 on the pivots 23 are provided. These brackets 22 each carry a journal or bearing 24 for transversely extending axle or shaft 25. A roller 26 is suitably carried on this axle or shaft.

A piston rod 21 is pivotally supported at 28 to each bracket 22 on the opposite side of the pivot 23 from that of bearings 24. Each piston rod 21 is operated by a. suitable piston (not shown) within a pressure cylinder 29. The cylinders 29 are supported pivotally at 3|] from suitable brackets 3| carried by the frame portions l2. With this construction, introduction of pressure fluid into the cylinders 29 through the controlled pressure feed lines 32 will cause a counterclockwise rotation of the brackets 22 about their pivots 2'3, while similar introduction of pressure fluid through the controlled pressure feed lines 33 will cause rotation of the said brackets in the opposite direction for a purpose to be presently described. These feed lines 32, 33 are connected to a manually operated four-way valve V of known type (Fig. 1). The latter in turn is connected by a feed line F to a pressure source (not shown).

A belt carrying drive roller 34 is supported in parallelism with and below the roller 26 on a drive shaft 35. The diameter of roller 34 is properly sized to feed proper sheet lengths when geared to the web feeding mechanism (Fig. 22), to be presently described. The latter is carried in suitable bearings 35' supported by the brackets I I. An endless web feeding belt 36 is threaded around the roller 34 and about other rollers hereinafter to be described. The shaft 35 is adapted to be driven by the motor 38 through the agency of an intermediate suitably supported shaft 39 belted at 40 to the motor and connected by a chain drive 4| or the like to a stub shaft 42 carried in suitable bearings by a portion of the frame ID in axial alignment with shaft 35. The shafts 42 and 35 are coupled together by a clutch mechanism 43.

The clutch mechanism 43 in the embodiment shown (Fig. 12) includes an annular drum 44 pinioned at 45 to the shaft 35. A second drum 46 of smaller diameter than that Of drum 44 is suitably attached at 41 to a. collar 48 pinioned at 49 to the shaft 42. The drum 46 carries on its periphery an annular expansible clutch ring 50, whose outer peripheral surface 5| will frictionally engage the inner surface 52 of the drum 44 and thereby drive shaft 35 when the inner tube 50a of ring 50 is inflated. In unexpanded or collapsed condition the ring surface 5| lies clear of the surface 52 and in that condition shaft 35 is not driven.

The tube 50a is adapted to be inflated and deflated by providing communicating pneumatic passageways 53, 54 in the shaft 42 and collar 48. The passageway 53 is connected by a rotatable coupling 55 to an inlet nozzle 56 to which a hose 5'! from an outlet, 51a of a solenoid controlled pressure valve P (Fig. 23) is'co'nnected. The passageway 54 is connected to a nozzle outlet 58 which in turn is connected directly to an inflation stem 59 extending from the tube 50a.

A suitable brake drum 6 is fixedly supported at BI to the frame I0 concentricallyabout shaft 35. An expansible annular brake ring 62 is carried on the drum 60. The outer braking surface 63 of this ring is adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface 64 of the drum 44 when the inflatable inner tube 62a of the ring 62 is inflated and serves there to brake rotation of shaft 35. When this tube 52a is deflated, the shaft 35 is free to rotate.

Tube 62a is adapted to be inflated and defiated in controlled manner by providing passageways 65 and 66 for pressure 'fiuid. Passageway'35 is connected to an outlet nozzle 6! which in turn is connected directly to an inflation stem 68 extending from the tube 62a. The passageway 66 is connected to a suitable hose 69 leading to an outlet 69a of the solenoid controlled pressure valve P (Fig. 23).

The operation of this valve P will be hereinafter described. It functions under electrical control of its solenoid to admit pressure from a source not shown into one or the other of the lines 51 and 59 and to bleed the other of these two lines whereby either the tube 55a or 62a is inflated at any given time. In this way whenever tube 56a is inflated thereby coupling shaft 52 to shaft 35, tube 62a, is deflated so that no braking occurs. On the other hand whenever tube 53a is deflated, tube 62 is inflated so that drive shaft 52 is uncoupled from shaft 35 and the latter is effectively braked by the action of surface 63 on surface 64.

The sheeting web W from which the sheets of prescribed length are to be torn is delivered from rolls of folded goods on platforms in longitudinally folded condition and passed or threaded over plate I4, under tension bar I! and if sheeting of say 90 inch length is to be torn, around roller 26 directly between the latter and the belt 36. On the other hand, if sheets, say of 99 inch length are to be torn, the web W is passed fro-m tension bar I1 around guide bar I9 before it is passed between roller 34 and the belt 35. If sheets say of 108 inch length are to be torn, the web W is passed from tension bar I! around guide bar I8 before it is passed between roller 26 and the belt 36.

Whenever the clutch ring 55 is actuated to coupling position, the shaft 35 is driven and consequently the belt 36 is similarly driven. The sheeting web W, however, is not fed with the belt 36 unless the roller 26 presses it against the belt 35. Such pressing action occurs whenever the cylinders 29 have fluid pressure applied through the hoses 32.

The shaft 35 (Figs. 1, 3, 21, 22) has a gear 73 suitably keyed at II or otherwise fixed thereto. Any one of three gears I2, 13 or I4 is adapted to be shifted into mesh with gear Ill. The gear I2 has 108 teeth about its periphery and is supported on a stub shaft 15 carried on a pivot arm I6. The arm I6 is pivoted at 71 to a fixed support carried by a portion of the frame ID. A link member I9 is pivoted at 80 to the arm I6. Thi link member has two notches 8!, 82, either of which may be engaged with a fixed member 33 carried by a portion of the frame I0. A suitable operating knob 84 is provided for shifting either of the notches into engagement with member 83, and a suitable spring 85 is provided 6 to maintain such engagement. The position of notches 8| and 82 is such that when notch 82 is engaged by member 83, the gear I2 is in mesh with gear I0, whereas, if notch 8| is so engaged, the gear I2 is out of mesh with gear 1!]. The

shaft I5 has collars 86 pinioned or otherwise fixed thereto which are provided with the respective radially extending striker arms 81, 88, 89 which are'adapted on rotation of shaft I5 and its'gear I2 to sweep past the respective operating rollers 90 of two suitably supported normally open selector, micro or limit switches SI, 9Ia. and a similar normally closed'switch SIb so as to close the first two and to open the latter 9Ib in certain positions of rotation for a purpose to be presently described. The gear 12 is adapted to be put into mesh with gear 'iIl when sheets of 108 inch length are tobe torn.

The gear 13 which has 99 teeth about its periphery is similarly supported on a stub shaft '92 carried on a pivot arm' 93. The arm 93 is pivoted at 94 to a fixed support carried by a portion of the frame III. A link member 95 is pivoted at 96 to the arm 93. This link member 95 has two notches 9T, 98 either of which may be engaged with a fixed member 99 carried by aportion of the frame II). A suitable operating knob I00 is provided for shifting either of the notches 97, 98 into engagement with member 39, and a suitable spring IGI is provided to maintain such engagement. The position of notches 91, 98 is such that when notch 98 is engaged by the member 99, the gear 13 is out of mesh with gear 10, whereas, if notch 9! is engaged, the gear I3 is in mesh with gear 1!). The shaft '92 has collars I92 pinioned or otherwise fixed thereon provided with the respective striker arms I03, IE4 or I05 which are adapted on rotation of shaft 92 and its gear I3 to sweep past the respective operating rollers I 06 of two suitably supported normally open selector, micro or limit switches I31, IIl'Ia and a similar normally closed switch Hill) to close the first two and open the latter Ifi'Ib in certain positions of rotation for a purpose to be presently described. The gear I3 is adapted to be put into mesh with gear l0 when sheets 99 inches in length are to be torn.

The gear M which has 90 teeth about its periphery is similarly supported on a stub shaft I I38 carried on a pivot arm I09. The arm I09 is pivoted at III] to a fixed support carried by a portion of the frame I 0. A link member I II is pivoted at' I I2 to the arm I09. This link member III has two notches I I3, I I4 either of which may be engaged with a fixed member II5 carried by a portion of the frame I0. A suitable operating knob HE is provided for shifting either of the notches I I3, I I 4 into engagement with member II 5 and a suitable spring II! is provided to maintain such engagement. The position of notches I I3, I I4 is such that when the notch I I4 is engaged by the member II5, the gear I4 is out of mesh with gear ID, whereas, if notch H3 is so engaged, the gear M is in mesh with gear 79, The shaft I08 has collars II8 pinioned or otherwise fixed thereon, provided with respective radially extending triker arms II9, I25, I2! which are adapted on rotation of shaft I38 and its gear 14 to sweep past the respective operating rollers I22 of two suitably supported normally open selector, micro or limit switches I23, I23a and a similar normally closed switch I23?) so as to close the first two and open the latter I 232) in certain position of rotation for a purpose to be presently described. Theg'ear was adapted to be put into mesh with gear 10 when sheets 90 inches in length are to be torn.

The various switches 9|, 9Ia, 91b; I01, I01a, I01b; and I23, I23a, I23b are connected in an electric control circuit shown in Fig. 23 in a manner and for a purpose hereinafter to be described. One set only of these switches is operated at any time, the et operative being that associated with the particular gear 12, 13 or 14 which is in mesh with the gear 10 so that sheets either 108 inches, 99 inches or 90 inches will be torn all as hereinafter described.

Photo-electric scanning members I24, I25 are suitably positioned to scan the web W as it moves over the guide or cover plate I4 so as to detect seams or defects in the web. These members I24, I25 are connected through an amplifier system (not shown) in a control circuit hereinafter to be described for the purpose of notifying the operator or stopping the machine when short lengths of sheetings, scams or other defects are detected, so that the short lengths or lengths of sheeting bearing such defects may be eliminated whenever they occur.

The sheet tearing section B Referring to Figs. 1-4 inclusive and 6-9 inclusive, the frame I in section B has a longitudinal tearing table or guide portion IOb over the top of which the top of the web feeding belt 36 passes. An angle bar I25 (Fig. 9) is attached suitably at'l26, to the top IOb. This bar I25 carries a transversely projecting arm I21. A knife I28 is suitably supported at an angle with the horizontal from the arm I21 transversely of the longitudinal direction of the portion Ifib. This knife serves as will be presently described to provide a nick or starting out in the sheeting or web W at the appropriate point thereof for tearing off a prescribed length of sheet. The knife is spaced from the upper surface of the belt 36.

Tearing arms I29 and I36 supported respectively on the rotatable shafts I3I and I32 are provided. The tearing arms have respective telescoping sections I29a and I3Ba, so that the effective length of each arm I29 and I30 may be adjusted as desired for different widths of sheeting to be torn. Suitable clamps I33, I34 serve to fix the adjusted sections I29a, I360, in any desired position. The supporting shafts I3I, I32

extend vertically through the table top IOb near its front edge and are supported by suitable bearings (not shown) and the respective base hearings E35. I36. These shafts have the respective bevel gears I31, I38 suitably pinioned or otherwise fixed thereto and these gears in turn mesh with the respective bevel gears I39, I40 carried on a horizontally extending shaft MI. The shaft MI is supported suitably by the bearings I42 carried by the uprights I00 of the frame I9.

A lever arm I43 is pinioned or otherwise fixed to shaft I4I and connected pivotally at I44 to the piston rod I45 of a reciprocating piston (not shown) that operates in a pressure cylinder I46. The cylinder I46 is pivotally supported at M! from a base portion Iild of the frame. Fluid under pressure may be admitted to opposite ends of the cylinder I46 through the feed lines I43, I49, that in turn are connected at I50 and II to a solenoid controlled valve I52 (Fig. 23) whose solenoid is connected in an electric circuit to be hereinafter described. With this equipment, reciprocal motion of the piston rod is transmitted through gears I39, I31 and I40,- I38 to shafts I3I, I32 to effect substantially horizontal reciprocal rotation in opposite directions of the tearing arms I29, I30.

Pressure operated grippers I53, I54 are provided on the ends of the respective tearing arm sections I29a, I30a. Since they have identical construction, only gripper I53 illustrated in detail in Figs. 7-9 inclusive will be described. As will be noted from Figs. 2 and '1, the sections I29a, I30a curve forwardly at their outer ends, and are provided with the respective sockets or holding rings I291), I301) which serve as supports for the respective grippers I53, I54. Gripper I53 consists of a hollow sleeve I55 that fits within the sleeve I29b. This sleeve is shouldered at I56 and rests on the top of socket I292). The lower end of sleeve I56 extends downwardly below the socket I29?) and is provided with a transversely extending open slot I51 having beveled edges I51b. A plunger rod I58 having a headed end I59 is guidedly supported within the sleeve I55 by the guide member I60, which rests upon a shoulder I6I within said sleeve. The plunger rod I58 is fastened suitably at I62 to a diaphragm I63 carried by sleeve I55 and held in place by the cover plate I64. A suitable spring I65 positioned about the plunger rod I58 between the diaphragm I63 and the member I60 serves to urge the plunger I58 upwardly so that the folded edge We of the web W may be inserted into slot I51. The cover plate I64 is shaped to provide a pressure compartment I66 above the diaphragm I63 to which fluid under pressure may be delivered through a suitable hose coupling I61 to which a hose I68 is attached. The hose I68 extends through the hollow sections of tearing arm I29, and is joined to a similar hose I69 that operates clamping head I54. The hoses I68, I69 are joined to a common hose I10 which in turn is connected at I1I to a solenoid controlled valve Hz (Fig. 23). The solenoid of this valve is connected in an electrical circuit to be presently described. In addition the common hose I10 is connected by a hose extension I13 to the inlet I14 of a pressure actuated or normally open electric switch I15 for a purpose to be presently described.

With this equipment, whenever pressure is supplied to the hoses I68, I69, the plungers I58 of the gripping heads I53, I54 are moved to press their heads I59 into clamping position relative to the closed bottoms I55a of the sleeves I55, thereby effectively clamping the sheeting edge We therein at two places located on opposite sides of the knife blade I28. Thus, when the arms I29, I30 are rotated as described hereinabove, the edge Wa is first brought into contact with the knife edge I28 to start the tearing point, and further rotation of said arms, tears the sheet transversely from selvedge to selvedge along a line started by the nick produced by the cutting edge I28. When pressure is released from the hoses I68, I69, the sheeting is released by the clamping heads I59 by action of the springs Q65 so that the torn off sheet S may be advanced by the belt 36, while the sheeting W may be positioned for the next tearing off action.

The torn off sheet S is then fed further by the belt 36 to section C consisting of the folding or doubling mechanism.

The folding or doubling section 0 Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 13, the belt 36, carrying thereon the torn off sheet S moves forwardly on table portion IIlb and under a guide roller I16 supported on a shaft I11 carried in 9*. bearingsinot shown) in. the'uprights I I8 :located on. opposite sides: of. the frame adjacent to the end of table. portion Illb. The belt 36further passes over the guide pulley or. roller I19, around the roller. I 89, over the guide roller. I81, around either of the guide rollers I82 or I83 and over guide roller I84 allsuitably supported. by the frame uprights I78 or braces I99 of the frame. I9 back-to pulley 34 in section A of theframe. A second endless belt I8? is. positioned-in the section C. to pass about the rollerI I6 over-guide. roller I19 in parallelism with the portionof belt 3.6 passing thereover, similarly partly around-roller I99, thence partially around a roller I 88' and partially around a. roller I99 all supported from the uprights I78 in suitable bearings (not shown). The: portions 36a and I8'Ia of. the two belts 36. and. ISTIrunning in parallelism'carry-the'sheet S upwardly'between' them and aroundbetween the bight of the rollers I90 and I 99, whence'the" sheet Sdescends vertically in free suspension (Fig. 13) to the first of the folding or doubling devices. In its descent any folds'in the leading portion of the sheet S carried by the tearing: action straightens out automatically. Likewise any folds in the trailing end of sheet S carried by the tearing action tend to straighten out hanging, vertically down after leaving suspending rolls I89 and I88 and after the center of sheet S has been drawninto rolls I99 and I9I at Y.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6, 13 and 20, the sheet S as it moves vertically in: free suspension, passes in front of a pair of vertically superposed rolls I99, i9I. These rolls are supported horizontally and suitably on axles I92, I93 carried by the uprights I94 0f the frame I6. A second pair of vertically superposed rolls I95, I96 are supported horizontally and suitably on axles I97, I99 carried by uprights I99 of the frame II]. A third pair of vertically superposed rolls 299, 2ilI are similarly supported on the uprights I99 on axles 262, 293. Additional idler rolls 294; 295 are carried on axles 296, 29'! supported suitably-from frame members 299 carried on cross bars 299 that are suitably attached to the uprights I94, I99; ,A fourth pair of rolls 2H), 2H are carried on axles 2I2, 2l3, supported suitably from frame members 234 carried on cross bars 2I5 that are suitably attached to the uprights I94, I99. An additional roll 2I9 is carried on an axle 2 I1 supported suitably from horizontal portions 2I8 of the frame I9. An endless belt or band 2I8 is positioned around the rolls E99, I95. A second endless belt or band 2I9 is positioned around the rolls I9I, 499, 299, 2H3, 2I6. 2H and 205. Similarly a third endless belt or band 220 is positioned around the rolls 29! and 2I9'. The portions ZIBa of band 2! and 2 9c of band 2 I 9 extend in parallelism: and in substantial contact. Similarly-the portions 22911 of band 229, and 2I9b of band 2I9 extend in parallelism and in substantial Contact.

The roll I96 is suitably driven for example by a sprocket chain connection 22! from the roll I89. In this way the belt H9 is driven positively in the direction denoted by the arrows and the belts H9 and 229 are driven by reason of their frictional contact with the respective portions 2I9a and 2I9b of belt 2I9.

A first doubling member 222 is carried and pinioned on a shaft 223 that is suitably supported by the upright I94. This doubling member has substantial width extending for a major portion of the distance between the oppositely located uprights I94 of the frame I9. It is provided with two arms 222' and a laterally extending flange 224 that has a pointed edge 225. Member 222 and its flange 224are admeasured so that a clockwise rotation of the said member 222 on its shaft 229 will causal-the edge 225 to enter between the bight of the belts 218 and 2E9 at the rolls I99, I9I. The said edge 225 before entering said bight will entrain the sheet S and start a transverse foldalong center line Y of Fig. 15. The folded edge of the sheet along line Y will be pushed. into the bight and gripped by the belts 253, 2I9-at said bight and the sheet will then be carried along from said bight by the portions i be and 2I9d of said two belts. The folding member 222 is timed to effect this folding action when the said centerline Y lies opposite saidbight in a manner to be presently described.

The folding arms or' member 222 is adapted to be reciprocally rotated 'on its axle or shaft 229 in any suitable manner." For example, in the embodiment shown, a lever229 is suitably pinioned or otherwise fixed to shaft 223. The lever 229 is pivoted at 221 to a piston rod 2290f a piston (not shown) of a double? acting pressure actuated cylinder 229. This cylinder in turn is pivoted at 239 to a fixed support 23-! carried by the uprights I94. The pressure feed lines 232, 239 from the cylinder 229. are connected at'234, 235m a solenoid operated valve 299.

The folded sheet Sa emerges from between the rolls I95, I99 and descends vertically in free suspension. in front of the bight between rollers 299, 291 (Fig. 13). A second doubling member 237 of identical construction with the first doubling member 222, is positioned on a shaft to fold the sheet Sa, (Figs. 16' and 17) along the transverse center line Z and to' push the fold Z into the bight between rolls 299, 29'! when the fold Z lies 'opposite said bight and the arms 29 are given counterclockwise rotation. These arms 29'! are rotated reciprocally by the suitably supported double acting cylinder 239 supported and functioning in substantially the same manner piston 229. The pressure feed lines 249, 24! of cylinder 239' are connected'at' 242, 249 to the solenoid actuated valve 244 whose solenoid is connested in an electric control circuit to be pre ently described.

The sheet Sa, introduced between the rolls 299, 20I is carried from there between the belt portions 2I9b; 229, to and between rolls 2I0, 2H and emerges from the latter as the finally folded sheet Sb (Figs. 13, 18 and 19). This sheet Sb is delivered by the portion 2I9c of the belt 2I9 to a pair of receiving plates 245, 246 arranged as an inclined slide. The plate 245 is supported on a rotatable arm 24! which in turn is pivotally supported at 248 from the upright I99; so that plate 245 may be swung from the full line position of Fig. 5 to its dotted position about pivot 248. The plate 246 is' carried by a suitable support 249 which in turn is pivoted at 250 to a suitable bracket arm 25L The arm 25I in turn is suitably supported by and attached to stationary or non-revolving shaft 256 carried by the uprights 253 ofthe framev "3.. Plate 246 may be rotated about pivot 250. to the dotted-position shown. Suitable stops (not shown). normally maintain theplates 245, 246 as an inclined plane in the full line position shown in. Fig. 5. The sheet Sb deliveredonto the said inclined plane formedby the two plates 245, 246 are held thereon by an adjustable stop member 254 carried by the plate 249. The sheets Sb are thereafter removed from the plates .249, 246-by suitabledoffer mechanism.

The dofier mechanism D Referring to Figs. 5, 6, 10, 11 and 13, the doffer mechanism includes a revolving creel 255 supported on an axle 256. The axle in turn is carried in suitable brackets (B) that are supported by the uprights 253. The uprights 253 are attached as part of the frame In by the girders 258.

The radial arms 259 of the dofier creel 255 are joined by cross bars 260 which are rotatably supported between opposite pairs of said arms 259. The arms 259 are so admeasured in length that as the creel rotates about shaft 256, the cross bars move upwardly from under the plates 245, 246, they pass successively and approximately through the center space 26I between the two plates, which lies under the approximate center of the folded sheet Sb carried on said plates 245, 246. In so doing the cross bar drapes the folded sheet Sb on the plates over it and they hang thereon in self-aligning position, similar to cars of a Ferris wheel as the creel rotates as shown in Fig. 5. The plates 245, 246 tilt to their dotted line positions shown in Fig. while a sheet Sb is being draped over a cross bar 269.

The dofier creel 255 is adapted to be rotated step by step i. e. in successive fractional rotational movements corresponding to the angular spacing between arms 259 by mechanism controlled by the positioning of a sheet Sb on the plates 245, 246. In the embodiment shown the creel 255 rotates one-sixth of a revolution at a time.

The drive mechanism for the creel 255 includes the bevel gears 262 that are fixed to the dofier arms 259 and which are rotatable about the axle 256. These gears 262 in turn, mesh with bevel gears 263 pinioned to the respective shafts 264. These shafts 264 are supported by suitable bearings 265 carried suitably by the girders 256. Bevel gears 266 are pinioned or otherwise fixed to the shafts 264 and these gears 266, in turn mesh with bevel gears 261. The latter are pinioned or otherwise fixed to a shaft 268 (Figs. and 11) which is rotatably carried in bearings 269 supported by the uprights I99.

The shaft 269 has a toothed or ratchet wheel 210 pinioned or otherwise suitably fixed thereto. This wheel as shown (Fig. 10) has six equi-spaced teeth 21I or a number corresponding to the number of cross bars 260 of the creel. A yoke member 212 is rotatably supported on the shaft 268 about the wheel 210. This yoke member has a pivotally supported pawl member 213 and a spring 214 for urging said pawl into engaging position with the ratchet teeth 21I. The yoke member 212 is attached pivotally at 215 to the piston rod 216 of a piston (not shown) of the double acting pressure cylinder 211. The latter in turn is pivotally mounted at 216 to a fixed support 219 carried by the upright I99. The pressure feed lines 280, 28I for the cylinder 211 are connected (Fig. 23) at 282, 283 to the solenoid controlled valve 284, whose solenoid is connected in an electric circuit hereinafter to be described and which includes a limit switch 285 associated with the adjustable stop 254 on plate 246, so that the action of pressure cylinder 2'" and consequent step by step feeding of the creel 255 will be controlled by the presence or absence of a sheet Sb on plate 246 as will be more fully described hereafter.

A brake drum 286 (Figs. 10 and 11) is pinioned or otherwise fixed to the shaft 268. A brake band 281 is passed about the drum 286. This band has one end fixed at 288 to a link 289. The other end of the band is also attached at 299 to the link 289. The latter inturn is pivotally connected at 29I to the piston rod 292 of a piston (not shown) of a pressure cylinder 293. The latter in turn is pivoted at 294 to a fixed support 295 carried suitably by the upright I99. The pressure feed line 296, for the cylinder 293 is connected (Fig. 23) at 298 to the feed lines 28I so that the piston within cylinder 293 will tend to operate in the same direction with respect to the piston in cylinder 211. Thus while cylinder 211 is moving its piston upwardly to cause feeding movement of the pawl 213, the piston of cylinder 293 will have air pressure on top side of piston released so as to partially release the frictional engagement of brake band 281 on the drum 286 and vice-versa. In this manner, the creel 255 is sufficiently free to rotate during feeding movement of pawl 213 and braked against rotation by tightening of brake band 281 on drum 286 while the pawl is being retracted. Both cylinders 211 and 293 are actuated simultaneously under the control of the solenoid operated valve 284 by electrical circuits later to be described.

The foregoing braking arrangement while sufficient to control the movement of the creel 255 when the cross bars 269 are accumulating bundles of draped sheets is not sufiicient when sheets are removed from the delivery side of the creel 255. When the creel 255 is ready for unloading there is approximately the same number of sheets on each cross bar 260 and the weight of sheets on the ascending and descending cross bars 269 are approximately equal so that the creel 255 is in equilibrium. When the creel 2'55 is first unloaded the weight on the descending cross bars 260 becomes less so that the creel 255 tends to rotate opposite to the normal direction of rotation particularly 0n the return or downward stroke of air piston 216 of power cylinder 211, this is so because the brake band 281 is not fully effective due to direction of wrap around brake drum 266, that is the brake drum 286 tends to rotate clockwise instead of counter-clockwise, and to unwind the brake band 261. To prevent any such reverse movement of brake drum 286 a latch or pawl 213 (Fig. 10) with a pivot suitably attached to frame I8 and a spring 214 are provided for urging said pawl into engaging position with ratchet teeth 21!. This prevents any reverse movement of ratchet wheel 279 or any reverse movement of creel 255. As the unloading of sheets from the creel 255 proceeds the weight on the descending cross bars 2813 becomes greater than the weight on the ascending cross bars 269. This unbalanced load condition would cause the creel 255 to travel beyond its usual one sixth revolution unless some constant braking effort is applied to brake drum 286 to off-set this unbalanced weight in creel 255. With only an air cylinder 293 for braking purposes there is an interval of time at the actuating stroke of power piston 216 of power cylinder 211 when there is no braking effort effected by braking cylinder 293 on the brake drum 286. To obtain the necessary braking required in this cycle of operation an adjustable tension spring 214" is provided which exerts a constant pull on brake link 289 exerting a pull on brake band 281 and sufficient braking effort on brake drum 286 so that doffer creel 255 will not move independently of power actuated stroke of power cylinder 211. Power cylinder 211 is of sufficient size to rotate creel 255 against constant braking resistance effected 

